New Boeing VC-25B Air Force One is so expensive that its operating manual alone will cost $84,000,000
Published on May 01, 2026 at 11:22 AM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on May 19, 2026 at 2:23 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
The new Boeing VC-25B Air Force One is a super expensive plane – even the operating manual that comes with it will cost $84 million.
Boeing is working hard on converting two 747-8 airliners to become the next generation of Air Force One.
That won’t be a cheap process by any stretch, nobody is expecting that.
But would you have ever expected an operating manual to cost millions? Because that’s what has happened.
The operating manual for the Boeing VC-25B Air Force One is a pricey document
There’s been an awful lot of press coverage for the Boeing 747 that got gifted to the U.S. to serve as Air Force One.
It feels like virtually every aspect of this whole deal has been gone over with a fine-tooth comb, from its stunning interior to its unusual call sign.
But it feels like the two Boeing 747-8 planes that are already being primed have flown under the radar somewhat – no pun intended.
While their delivery date has been delayed by a few years, they’re still very much in the works.
Now, nobody expects these planes to come cheap in the transformation process.
But this detail has raised more than a few eyebrows across the internet.
And that’s the operation manual, which has had $84 million spent on it.
With the complete documentation expected to span more than 100,000 pages, that puts the cost at somewhere like $840 per page.
While that may sound obscenely expensive for a series of pages fitted together, there is some important context to take into account.
What lies inside the document
Inside the manual is a massive integrated technical ecosystem, lined with information on the advanced defense systems, the mobile command systems, and medical facilities.
That’s not forget flight profiles, including procedures for steep takeoffs, landings, and emergency maneuvers.
Owing to the unique nature of these planes, every single diagram, protocol, and wiring schematic has to be drawn up from scratch.
The $84 million manual is admittedly a drop in the bucket for a program that costs $5.3 billion in total.
Bear in mind, these planes were due in 2024, and now won’t be ready until 2028 at least.
It’ll still be a while yet before the world gets to see these planes in action.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
